Sparkling Blood Orange Golden Milk Tonic

Sparkling blood orange golden milk tonic to welcome what is finally warmer spring weather here in the northern hemisphere! Refreshing and ever so effervescent, this fermented apple cider vinegar based tonic is a warmer weather counterpart to the classic Ayurvedic golden milk that can strengthen, tonify and nourish the bodymindspirit (yes, that’s a word now). There’s no alcohol involved, and this is seriously the closest I’ll get to consuming an actual alcoholic drink, tbh. It’s so flavourful and tangy that I sweetened it a bit with maple syrup, though feel free to use raw local honey instead.

I’ve teamed up with Wild Bloom Botanicals for this recipe! This particular golden milk blend is quite special compared to all of the blends I’ve tried over the years. Each ingredient is meticulously selected, 100% organic, whole and pure, mostly local to Canada, fully ethically sourced, non-irradiated, has a set of specific benefits, and when consumed together in this blend, they synergistically benefit the whole body. Each product is free of any fillers, excipients, added colours and flavours, preservatives and additives. Click here for Wild Bloom Botanicals’ shop!

Benefits of Wild Bloom Botanicals’ golden milk blend:

• Turmeric: a powerful, anti-inflammatory superstar root. Considered the best medicine in Ayurveda and cures the whole person. Can be used by all doshas and won’t cause imbalances. Revered for decreasing inflammation, joint pain, headaches, stress, anxiety, and uplifting the mood. Helps digestion, maintains flora of the intestine, reduces gas, contains tonic properties and is an antibiotic. I find that I consume some form of turmeric root almost every single day as it makes me feel unstoppable. Note: people with hypoglycemia can use it in small amounts in cooking but should not take it in large quantities. Gentle reminder: turmeric root and powder stains your clothes and skin! Rinse immediately to reduce any stains that can last for days (I typically don’t have a problem with turmeric staining… everything’s so temporary and transient!)
• Ceylon (true) cinnamon: helps balance blood sugar (note that common cassia cinnamon does not boast the same medicinal properties). Boosts circulation and digestion and prevents heart attacks due to its blood thinning properties.
• Cardamom: helps regulate blood pressure and improve digestion. Good for cough, respiratory issues, hemorrhoids and burning urination. Improves flavour of food.
• Black pepper: contains naturally occurring piperine which is a bioavailability enhancer that helps with the cellular absorption and effectiveness of curcumin (and more of turmeric’s whole, beneficial constituents) by up to 2,000%, synergistically destroying cancer cells and more. I prefer to consume complete black pepper and turmeric over anything isolated in capsule form.
• Ashwagandha: also known as Indian ginseng. A potent Jing herb that boosts stamina and immunity, stabilises the HPA axis, supports meditation and yoga, promotes fertility, reduces stress, anxiety and depression, a powerful antioxidant that supports the thyroid and regulates the body in mysterious ways. It’s a beneficial adaptogenic herbal boost that makes this particular golden milk blend truly stand out from the rest. In other situations I’d typically use my trusty Sun Potion or Superfeast ashwagandha and add a dash of it when I feel like it, but there’s no need to when using this all-in-one golden milk blend!
• Coconut milk powder: healthy fats to the rescue! Coconut is a large part of my life and it’s one of the ingredients that I’d miss the most if at some point complete food localism prevails around here in the northern hemisphere. The beneficial, synergistic properties of turmeric and black pepper can be potentiated easier when consumed with a generous source of healthy fats.

This tonic is really suited for the warmer months as it’s chilled and best served with some ice (made of filtered or spring water), and some sparkling mineral water to nourish you with vital minerals that would otherwise be missing in even the most thoroughly filtered of water. The raw apple cider vinegar also provides a multitude of probiotic benefits and can aid in smooth digestion! Do use the highest quality ingredients you can possibly find – this will naturally end up local, fresh, and organic. Check out your farmers’ market!

Ingredients you’ll need for this sparkling blood orange golden milk tonic:

• filtered or spring water
• a knob of fresh organic ginger, finely minced or grated with a Microplane
• freshly squeezed blood orange
• raw apple cider vinegar with the ‘mother’. I like Filsinger’s or Bragg brand. If you’re in southern Ontario, you can get Filsinger’s at wildmeadowsfarm.ca while using the code ROOTTOSKY15 for $15 off your first order.
• Wild Bloom Botanicals golden milk powder blend
• organic maple syrup
• sea salt
• vanilla bean (optional)
• chilled sparkling mineral water to serve (I like Gerolsteiner or San Pellegrino, both in glass bottle packaging)
• filtered or spring water ice cubes (optional)

The power of tonic herbs not only work their magic in a physical/material sense, but different herbs also have an intangible spiritual component that can feel like a subtle whisper. Often you’ll feel the call of a specific plant or herb, and when you do find one that you resonate with, take a moment to breathe in a sense of belonging. Know that you’re connected with a greater community supporting themselves and the Earth. Herbs can benefit you far beyond your imagination.

For more about the Ayurvedic approach to healing and how aspects of it can be integrated into your daily life, you can refer to the informative, incredible book, Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing by Usha Lad & Dr. Vasant Lad. For a classic golden milk recipe, you can refer to this amazing recipe by Vital Veda. Believe in yourself, dive into your inner wisdom, and create all that you desire.

Enjoy golden milk? You might also like these no bake Ayurvedic golden milk bars.